Friday, August 12, 2005

Pets911 - Buffalo.com: "The adolescent, or juvenile period begins as early as four months, and continues until your puppy is both sexually and behaviorally mature. Sexual maturity can happen as early as six months, but behavioral maturity sometimes doesn't occur until your dog is a year or two old. Adolescence is a stage in your puppy's development that is somewhat similar to the teenage years of children. It is a time of transition and physical, mental, and emotional change. The puppy's behaviors are changing from the immature behaviors of youth to the mature behaviors of the adult" . . .
A time of change means that a dog's behavior patterns are variable. Your puppy may immediately respond to your every request one day, and act as though he can't hear you the next. More puppy like behavior patterns may be the norm for a few days, followed by the actions of a mature dog. He may greet a stranger with typical puppy exuberance one day, and shy away from him the next. Many adult behavior patterns fully develop between one to two years of age. It is not uncommon for some types of aggressive behavior problems to develop during this time. Puppies of this age still have a strong urge to chew. This is normal.